Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is used for protection against threats.
Program Manager at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Simple installation, reliable, but reporting could improve
Pros and Cons
- "The scalability is good."
- "The reporting in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint should improve. The solution has limited features."
What is our primary use case?
What needs improvement?
The reporting in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint should improve. The solution has limited features.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is stable.
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June 2025

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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good.
What about the implementation team?
My team did the implementation of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This solution is part of an enterprise license we have.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
There are a lot of other products on the market that have better features.
What other advice do I have?
If you have a mid-sized organization, the solution works well. However, in a large size organization, there are challenges.
I rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a seven out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

Administrator at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Free antivirus solution with basic protection but has limited features
Pros and Cons
- "It's effective against most types of infection, and the firewall is perfect for protection."
- "The solution could be more friendly for end-users, with different type of scans or scheduled scans for it."
What is our primary use case?
My primary use case is as an end-user solution. It helps protect the computer against viruses and malware. It has a firewall option and offers basic protection for an end-user and a home user. If you are a home user, it's a very good solution for you.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is that it is easy to use; the solution is already there when you load Windows. It's effective against most types of infection, and the firewall is perfect for protection.
What needs improvement?
One area where the product could be improved is that I don't think it can be used all by itself, if you are working with a business. If you are using the laptop as a business, you need to add an extra protection with this solution.
The solution could be more friendly for end-users, with different type of scans or scheduled scans for it. The antivirus database update could be a cloud protection instead of waiting for the database to be updated every now and then.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution since it launched, around 2014.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and working fine for me. I haven't faced any problem with it.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't had a crash or problem with Microsoft Defender, so I haven't needed to contact the support.
How was the initial setup?
The solution is a Windows feature, so it's already there when I launch the operating system.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is free with Windows.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate the solution a seven out of ten. As it's a free solution, it doesn't have a lot of features like paid versions. If you are a home user or don't have a paid version of any other antivirus, Defender will be fine for you.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
June 2025

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: June 2025.
860,632 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Technology Consultant at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Useful for threat protection; Stable and scalable solution
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is scalable. Currently, we have 600,000 users in our organization."
- "The deployment of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Windows 10 is not quite so straightforward. This could be made easier."
What is our primary use case?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is useful for the protection of your business information and threat prevention.
What needs improvement?
The deployment of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on Windows 10 is not quite so straightforward. This could be made easier.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I am satisfied with the stability of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is scalable. Currently, we have 600,000 users in our organization.
How are customer service and support?
I have never contacted the technical support.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The company pays for the license so I do not know much about that.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Cyber Security Consultant at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
Stable, easy to use, and easy to install
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is that it comes with the package, so there is no additional installation of third-party software. It's also easy to use."
- "Microsoft Defender could be improved with features more like the McAfee ePO. It would be better if I had a console to get all the information for my endpoints. Maybe this is too much for it, but it would be better if it could handle those non-signature-based malicious codes or viruses."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of this solution is endpoint protection. In general, we use it to protect our devices, rather than using third-party software.
This solution is deployed on-prem.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is that it comes with the package, so there is no additional installation of third-party software. It's also easy to use.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Defender could be improved with features more like the McAfee ePO. It would be better if I had a console to get all the information for my endpoints. Maybe this is too much for it, but it would be better if it could handle those non-signature-based malicious codes or viruses. In the future, more and more non-signature-based activities or viruses will appear, which you can see in the market with software like CrowdStrike or other products that target non-signature-based attacks.
There are two groups: one is signature, which means that people know it, and the other is non-signature, which means that these are abnormal activities unknown to people. If Defender could also handle those non-signature-based attacks or abnormal activities, it would be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for one or two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is quite stable. In our opinion, it's similar to those signature-based antivirus software, and almost at the same level.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There are about five or six users of Microsoft Defender in my organization, because we are not very big. Other people and other teams like to have different end device software.
How are customer service and support?
We have a support contract with Microsoft, so we have a ticket system where we can pass questions to them. These things are handled by the help desk people, though, not me.
How was the initial setup?
It's not difficult to install Microsoft Defender. I don't remember how much time it took, but the process is easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay a yearly license for Microsoft Defender. We also have a support contract with them.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I wish that Microsoft Defender had a feature like McAfee's ePO, where I could have a console to get all the information for my endpoints. I also evaluated CrowdStrike because it can target non-signature-based attacks.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Defender an eight out of ten. I would recommend it to others, but it depends on whether they have their own policy for deploying antivirus products. It's good for some users who have some preferences—who need to follow their security policy or who have some budgeting issues.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Chief Executive Officer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
One of the best antiviruses on the market that's straightforward to set up and quick to deploy
Pros and Cons
- "It's one of the best antiviruses on the market."
- "The solution could be even more secure and provide an even higher level of security."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for cloud security. It was used for threat detection and endpoint to endpoint.
The product can be used for organizations that use Microsoft as their primary security defender and need zero-day threat protection. It's good for companies that want to make sure there are no threats or attacks on their information.
What is most valuable?
It's one of the best antiviruses on the market.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be even more secure and provide an even higher level of security.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for more than two months at this point.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have a team of up to four or five people that use the solution.
How are customer service and support?
I've never contacted technical support or worked with them on any issues.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is very straightforward and the deployment is quick as well.
While I recall the deployment not taking too much time, I don't remember the exact amount, as it was already installed by my team here. It was likely less than ten minutes.
You only need roughly four people, at a maximum, to install the solution. You need one good manager and four or five engineers.
What about the implementation team?
I can handle the installation process myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
In order to use the solution, a base subscription is required.
What other advice do I have?
We are always using the latest version of the solution.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
I would recommend the solution to other users and organizations.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sales Director at CLoud3 Solutions Pte Ltd
Secure, no maintenance required, and stable
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been secure and there is zero maintenance required because it updates with Microsoft Windows."
- "The solution can be more user-friendly."
What is our primary use case?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is integrated into Microsoft Windows and is used for system protection.
What is most valuable?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has been secure and there is zero maintenance required because it updates with Microsoft Windows.
What needs improvement?
The solution can be more user-friendly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for a few years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
We have 30 users using the solution in my organization.
How was the initial setup?
The solution has no installation as it comes with Microsoft Windows.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I do not have to purchase antivirus solutions anymore because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is integrated into Windows and comes free.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to others.
I rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Security Architect at a comms service provider with 5,001-10,000 employees
Scalable with great threat detection and good stability
Pros and Cons
- "It's not really visible for the user - which is a benefit."
- "The initial setup can be a bit complex."
What is our primary use case?
The solution is used to protect the endpoint. Also, there's an antivirus and then advanced threat protection. It's also detecting threats and sending that to the cloud and correlating that without the events from other parts of the EMS suites. That's primarily what we are using it for. It is also capable of doing some attack surface reduction that you can configure on the endpoint. It's basic protection plus surveillance. It's also an EDR, however, we are not using that.
How has it helped my organization?
It's always very difficult to measure, however, it integrates very well with the other Microsoft products. It's easy to handle them. That's an important point when you want to achieve a higher security level that it's easy to manage. You can be sure that it's up to date and it's managed and the alarms are taking care of and so on. It's not only the technical capabilities, that are important. How it plays together with the rest of your products is also key.
What is most valuable?
It's not really visible for the user - which is a benefit.
We know it's pretty good in terms of detecting threats against our platform and attacks. We have seen that.
There's privileged escalation or lateral movements for attacks.
The solution is stable.
The scalability is good.
What needs improvement?
The dashboards could be better. There's a suite of different products that play together and enhance security and receive signals from different parts of the product suites. When you are trying to look into that sort of depth on a dashboard, or across various dashboards, it can be difficult to obtain a comprehensive overview as it's so divided.
The initial setup can be a bit complex.
Beyond that, I'm not involved in the day-to-day operation. There may be others that can offer more insights.
For how long have I used the solution?
We started using it when we started to migrate to Windows 10 and that was likely four years ago. However, that was the Microsoft basic version. Recently, we also enabled the ATP path.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's my understanding that the solution is very stable. It's a pretty mature solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
In terms of scalability, we have not encountered any issues. We have around 7,000 end points.
We don't have too many physical people dealing with the solution. We have some people in operations and then some architects and so on, however, they are not involved on a day-to-day basis.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is somewhat complex, however, that's not only due to the product. It's also the environment that it is going to be implemented into. Also, when you have a company with a lot of legacy products and all the setups and so on there may be difficulties in terms of getting everything to work together.
The deployment can take up to a couple of months, however, it's dependant on the environment that it needs to be implemented into. For instance, if other kinds of agents are writing on the computer, you need to make sure that it is not consuming too much CPU capacity and so on. If you have a good system, it would be very quick to install.
We have a deployment plan and we have taken advice from Microsoft Learning from their onboarding Planning information. There isn't anything that is very special, as, when you roll out new software on an endpoint, you must make sure that it's not disturbing the day-to-day operation. You start with a small group of test users and then do it in bigger and bigger waves and always be ready to go back. It's good to have that preparedness so that you can roll back and you can investigate what's gone wrong and so on, however that's not special to a different endpoint. That's a normal deployment strategy.
What was our ROI?
It has been possible to reduce the use of other agents. Beyond that, we have not made any financial calculations in relation to ROI. We have been using McAfee, for example, among others, and it's been possible to scale down. Microsoft is more integrated, more comprehensive, and Defender is part of the Microsoft operating system.
What other advice do I have?
We are customers and end-users.
This Microsoft security platform is very much a SAS platform. It's playing together with all the other security products from Microsoft and the company is using the Azure platform to collect the information and to work on the main refine security findings. It's working very well together with the Microsoft Cloud solution for security.
It's my understanding that they call it the security graph. It's quite important that they are communicating together. Windows Defender, ATP is delivering a lot of telemetry to that form and correlating it with telemetries.
The reason why we have implemented DHCP part is due to the fact that we bought a Microsoft E5 license with a lot of security enhancements.
I've only seen it in the implementation and design phase, however, it's pretty good. That said, it's also within the environment of a large company where the processes can be a bit difficult.
I'd advise users to integrate it into their security operations center so that they can have the full benefit of the product.
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Cyber Security Engineer at a manufacturing company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Not a secure product but it comes included with the Windows licensing fee
Pros and Cons
- "It comes included with the Windows license."
- "This solution is not secure, which is why I have moved to Linux."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution to protect and blocks any threats. We use it for protection.
What needs improvement?
This solution is not secure, which is why I have moved to Linux.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint could be more secure.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint for two years.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have not yet used technical support.
How was the initial setup?
It comes preinstalled with the OS. There is no need for any deployment. There is no installation or any other steps needed.
The installation of the host OS was easy.
What about the implementation team?
I installed the OS myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is no licensing fee. It comes included with the Windows license.
What other advice do I have?
I don't recommend this solution.
I would rate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint a five out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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Updated: June 2025
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Buyer's Guide
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